Brace-type damper mounting structure

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a brace-type damper mounting structure, which provides a highly-reliable stabilized joint member to produce sufficient damper functions against external turbulent force such as earthquakes and wind, and is so rational as to achieve higher workability. According to the mounting structure of the present invention, brace-type dampers are placed in V-shaped arrangement, for instance, to the inside of frames composed of columns and beams of a reinforced concrete structure. When the brace-type dampers are placed in the frames of columns and beams, one end of each brace-type damper is connected to a band-shaped reinforcing plate united to the outer surface part of each column through a gusset plate with a pin, separately from each beam. The other end of each brace-type damper is connected to a gusset plate, which is projecting from the upper surface of an anchoring member embedded in each beam, with a pin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a brace-type damper mounting structureuseful in a reinforced concrete structure such as a building structureand a civil-engineering structure in order to produce resisting anddamping forces against external turbulent force such as earthquakes andwind.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As a structure for placing brace-type dampers in a reinforcedconcrete structure such as a building structure and a civil-engineeringstructure, it is well known that steel frame members are built incolumn-to-beam joints of reinforced concrete construction, before eachbrace-type damper is mounted through a gusset plate anchored to eachsteel frame member by welding so as to transmit resisting or dampingforce produced from the dampers to a main frame of columns and beams.

[0005] The brace-type dampers are often placed in V-shaped or invertedV-shaped arrangement within a plane of structure. In this case, one endof each brace-type damper needs to be mounted to a beam center portion.As a structure for placing the brace-type dampers as described theabove, it is generally used to set an anchor prior to placement ofconcrete for the beams, before one end of each brace-type damper isconnected to the gusset plate mounted to the anchor.

[0006] However, the above mounting structure of the brace-type dampersat the column-to-beam joint position presents the following problems.

[0007] A large number of reinforcements for columns, as well asreinforcements for beams, are placed in the column-to-beam joints ofreinforced concrete construction in every direction, so that the gussetplate or the like is extremely hard to be set as described above, andbesides, a large number of holes allowing the reinforcements to pass areinevitably required for the gusset plate. That is, the abovecolumn-to-beam joints of reinforced concrete construction are supposedto be in more severe conditions than joints of steel-framed reinforcedconcrete construction.

[0008] The use of steel-framed columns and beams only for arrangement ofbraces is supposed to be contrary to meet a demand for shorter term ofconstruction works, so that the greater number of days is required forexecution of construction works.

[0009] A problem exists also in filling performance of concrete usedafter erection of the reinforcements, since the steel frame members andthe gusset plates are placed in the embedded state in the column-to-beamjoints.

[0010] It is further well known that each gusset plate is mounted acrossthe column and the beam. However, in case of making a design for abuilding, considerations are made to design so that energy of externalturbulent force such as earthquakes may be absorbed by the action ofhinge (a plastic region) produced at the beam end (the joint of the beamto the column). In this connection, because of the danger of damages tothe beam end by earthquakes or the like, using the gusset plates mountedas described the above is not rational to mount the brace-type dampersin a stable state.

[0011] Incidentally, problems with the mounting structure of thebrace-type dampers at the beam center position are that using a normallyavailable anchor is not enough to meet a demand for sufficienttransmission of stress against force applied from the brace-type dampersto the beam center position, in addition to the need for time-consumingmounting works.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is provided for solving the above problemsin the prior art, and its object is to provide a brace-type dampermounting structure, which provides highly reliable stabilized joints toproduce sufficient damping functions against external turbulent forcesuch as earthquakes and wind and is so rational as to achieve higherworkability.

[0013] The present invention according to claim I relates to a structurefor mounting a brace-type damper with a damper incorporated in a braceto the inside of each frame composed of columns and beams of areinforced concrete structure, and this mounting structure comprises areinforcing plate united to an outer surface part of each column makingup the above frame, separately from each beam, wherein one end of thebrace-type damper is connected to the reinforcing plate.

[0014] The damper applicable to the brace-type damper includes an oildamper, a friction damper and other various kinds of conventionaldampers having been developed for seismic response control.Incidentally, the present invention accepts the brace-type damper withthe damper incorporated in the brace as equivalent to a damperfunctioning as the brace as a whole, without being limited to a dampermounted to an intermediate part of the brace.

[0015] The reinforcing plate is so united to the outer surface part ofeach column as to provide a structure having no effect on bararrangement of the columns. The reinforcing plate is provided separatelyfrom each beam for the purpose of eliminating shearing or axial forcetransmitted from the brace-type dampers from directly acting on the beamends possible to be plasticized when the earthquake happened. Thus, anyreinforcing plate making no contribution toward substantially directtransmission of force will be enough, even if having a portion makingcontact with a beam portion depending on the need for surface finishing,for instance.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified, a method for connecting thereinforcing plate to the end of each brace-type damper may be generallyby mounting the gusset plate to the reinforcing plate by welding, forinstance, before the end of each brace-type damper is connected to thegusset plate with a bolt or a pin.

[0017] There is a danger that additional shearing or axial force to thecolumns will be increased by reason that at least one end of eachbrace-type damper is mounted only to the column side. However, when adamping device such as the oil damper is placed in the building, a phasedifference is produced between the response of the building and theresponse of the damper. For that reason, the damper force does notalways reach the maximum whenever the response of the building ismaximized, so that there is less stress added as well in general.

[0018] Using the oil damper or the like, for instance, also providesrelief functions through valve operations or the like enough to putrestrictions on the maximum damping force, resulting in a contributionalso toward controlling the stress added.

[0019] Incidentally, it is supposed that the reinforcing plate may beunited to each column at its upper or lower end as described in claim 2.

[0020] In case of the brace-type dampers placed in generally V-shaped orinverted V-shaped arrangement, it is efficient to connect eachbrace-type damper to the reinforcing plate, which is mounted to theupper end of each column for V-shaped arrangement or to the lower end ofeach column for inverted V-shaped arrangement, in relation to the endconnected to each column.

[0021] It is also supposed that the form of the reinforcing plate asdescribed in claim 3 or 4 is available.

[0022] In the brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 1,a brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 3 ischaracterized in that the above reinforcing plate includes a band-shapedreinforcing plate placed around the outer surface part of each column.

[0023] A section closed in a ring shape is formed using the band-shapedreinforcing plate placed around the outer surface part of each column,so that the reinforcing plate itself provides high stiffness in thestate of being united to each column.

[0024] In the brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 1,a brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 4 ischaracterized in that the above reinforcing plate includes a band-shapedreinforcing plate placed around an outer surface part within a columnsection as equivalent to the above outer surface part of each column.

[0025] The reinforcing plate placed as described the above is applied onthe assumption that there is no desire to expose the reinforcement plateto the outer surface, from the viewpoint of designs.

[0026] In the brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 3or 4, a brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 6 ischaracterized in that inner partition plates located within the columnsection are provided on the inside of the band-shaped reinforcing plate.

[0027] While deformation of the reinforcing plate may be controlledusing the ring-shaped closed structure according to claim 3 or 4, usingthe inner partition plates connected to the inside of the reinforcingplate may minimize local deformation of the reinforcing plate at thebrace-type damper mounting position or the like.

[0028] As described the above, the present invention according to claims1 to 4 and 6 may provide a rational and simple mounting structure, sincethe brace-type dampers are mounted to the inside of the frames ofcolumns and beams by means of mounting each brace-type damper to thehead or base of each column member, which is higher in proof stress anddurability than the beams, to the exclusion of mounting to the beam endsupposed to be damaged by external turbulent force such as earthquakes.

[0029] Each brace-type damper is mounted to the reinforcing plate placedaround the outer surface part of each column, and therefore, has no badinfluence upon the reinforcements placed in the column-to-beam jointsnor hinders execution of works for concrete filling, resulting inachievement of higher workability.

[0030] The above mounting structure is for the brace incorporating thedamper without increasing a burden on the column end, differently fromthe structure subjected to direct transmission of shearing or axialforce like using a normally available brace with no damper, andtherefore, is attributable to a rational mounting structure in acombination with brace-type damper functions.

[0031] The present invention according to claim 11 relates to astructure for mounting a brace-type damper with a damper incorporated ina brace to the inside of each frame of columns and beams of a reinforcedconcrete structure, and this mounting structure comprises an anchoringmember embedded in each beam making up the above frame, wherein one endof the brace-type damper is connected to a joint member, which soextends from the anchoring member as being projected from the upper orlower surface of each beam.

[0032] Using the anchoring member embedded in an axial center portion ofeach beam, for instance, results in mounting one end of each brace-typedamper to the axial center portion of each beam. Thus, the brace-typedampers may be received in a plane of structure in V-shaped or invertedV-shaped arrangement as the above general form of arrangement.

[0033] Using the anchoring member embedded in a beam portion close toeach column results in mounting one end of each brace-type damper to thebeam portion close to each column. Thus, it may be modified to mount theindividual brace-type damper to the beam portion close to each column.

[0034] It is supposed that shape steel is available for the anchoringmember as described in claim 13. Short H-sections or the like aresuitably used, or otherwise, channels or T sections will be also enough.The anchoring member made up of the shape steel is embedded in theconcrete and in this state, is bonded to its surrounding concrete,resulting in a contribution toward smooth transmission of the forceproduced from the brace-type dampers to the beams.

[0035] As described in claim 14, the shape steel making up the anchoringmember has flanges placed in parallel to a joint surface of thebrace-type damper with each beam. The flanges of the shape steel willmake resistance to the force, which shifts the anchoring member in thedirection orthogonal to the axis of each beam.

[0036] The brace-type dampers may be mounted to each joint member suchas the gusset plate, which so extends from the anchoring member as beingprojected from the upper or lower surface of each beam, with bolts orpins. Incidentally, the use of an anchoring member united to the jointmember will be also enough.

[0037] As described the above, the present invention according to claim11 makes a contribution toward not only reinforcement of portionsaffected by the force transmitted from the brace-type dampers but alsosmooth transmission of force between the anchoring member anchored inthe concrete section and the concrete, since the brace-type dampers aremounted to the inside of the frames of columns and beams by means ofmounting one end of each brace-type damper using the anchoring memberprovided in the section making up the section of each beam.

[0038] In the brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim11, a brace-type damper mounting structure as described in claim 15 ischaracterized in that flanges for preventing the anchoring member frombeing shifted in the axial direction are mounted to the anchoringmember.

[0039] While using only the anchoring member extending in the axialdirection of each beam makes resistance basically under the influence ofbond to the concrete, the anchoring member having the flanges mayproduce the damper functions of the brace-type dampers more surely sincethe flanges apply compressive force to the concrete enough to mount theanchoring member in the beam section more surely.

[0040] In the present invention according to claim 15, while the flangeshaving the anchoring functions are mounted to the anchoring member toprevent the anchoring member from being shifted in the axial direction,transmission of the axial force from the brace-type dampers to the beamsis smoothly made under the influence of the compressive strength of theconcrete, together with the bond of the anchoring member to theconcrete, since the flanges are functioning to apply the compressiveforce to the concrete at all times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The foregoing and other objects and features of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description of preferredembodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0042]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outline of the overallbrace-type damper mounting structure according to the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing one embodimentof the brace-type damper mounting structure according to the presentinvention;

[0044]FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing one embodimentof the brace-type damper mounting structure according to the presentinvention;

[0045]FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing one embodimentof the brace-type damper mounting structure according to the presentinvention;

[0046]FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing one embodimentof the brace-type damper mounting structure according to the presentinvention;

[0047]FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing one embodimentof the brace-type damper mounting structure according to the presentinvention;

[0048]FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing one embodimentof the brace-type damper mounting structure according to the presentinvention;

[0049]FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the overall brace-type dampermounting structure according to the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of thebrace-type damper mounting structure according to the present invention;and

[0051]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of thebrace-type damper mounting structure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052]FIG. 1 shows the outline of the overall brace-type damper mountingstructure according to the present invention, wherein two pieces ofbrace-type dampers 3 are placed in V-shaped arrangement within eachframe composed of columns 1 and beams 2 of a reinforced concretestructure.

[0053] As viewed in terms of one plane of structure, an upper end ofeach of two pieces of brace-type dampers 3 placed in V-shapedarrangement is connected to a band-shaped reinforcing plate 4 united tothe outer surface of an upper column end just beneath eachcolumn-to-beam joint (a panel zone).

[0054] Incidentally, in one embodiment according to the presentinvention, a gusset plate 5 is mounted to each reinforcing plate 4 bywelding, and the end of each brace-type damper 3 is connected to thegusset plate 5 with a pin 6. While the reinforcing plate 4 is united tothe upper end of each column 1 in the above embodiment, it is to beunderstood that it may be also modified to unite the reinforcing plateto the lower end of each column 1.

[0055]FIGS. 2 and 3 show one embodiment of the reinforcing plate 4. InFIG. 2, reference numeral 1 a denotes a main reinforcement of the column1, and 1 b is a hoop. Concrete in the column 1 is not shown in FIG. 2.

[0056] This embodiment has the similar features to that of FIG. 1 to theextent that each brace-type damper 3 is connected to the gusset plate 5,which is mounted to the band-shaped reinforcing plate 4 around the outersurface of the upper end of each column 1, with the pin 6. However,according to this embodiment, inner partition plates 7 are furtherprovided on the inside of the reinforcing plate 4 placed around theouter surface part of each column 1 into a quadrangular prismatic shape,and studs 8 serving as shear connectors are mounted to the innerpartition plate 7 and the inner surface of the reinforcing plate 4 bywelding to provide more enhanced unitedness with the concrete for thecolumns 1 enough to prevent the reinforcing plate 4 from being deformed.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, a half pre-cast beam member 2 a is used foreach beam 2 in the above embodiment, so that each beam 2 is formed bymeans of uniting the half pre-cast beam member with cast-in-placeconcrete (not shown). The reinforcing plate 4 is out of contact with thebottom surface of the half pre-cast beam member 2 a making up each beam2, thus providing a structure which eliminates shearing or axial forcetransmitted from the brace-type dampers 3 from directly acting on thebeams 2.

[0058] Incidentally, since a portion having the reinforcing plate 4 isreinforced with the reinforcing plate 4 together with the innerpartition plates 7, the hoop 1 b of each column 1 may be used as it is,or otherwise, the use of no hoop will be also enough. The use of no hoop1 b makes it easy to place the reinforcing plate 4 inclusive of theinner partition plates 7.

[0059]FIGS. 4 and 5 show modifications of the inner partition plates 7provided on the inside of the reinforcing plate 4. Having described theembodiment in FIG. 2 in relation to the inner partition plates 7 placedin parallel to one-directional side plates making up the band-shapedreinforcing plate 4, the inner partition plates 7 in the modificationshown in FIG. 4 are placed in cross-shaped arrangement.

[0060] More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the centralinner partition plate 7 continuously extending to the gusset plate 5mounted to the central position of the reinforcing plate 4 (in thequadrangular prismatic width direction) is placed in parallel to otherinner partition plates 7 on both sides of the central inner partitionplate 7.

[0061] On the contrary, in the modification shown in FIG. 4, the centralinner partition plate 7 continuously extending to the gusset plate 5mounted to the central position of the reinforcing plate 4 (in thequadrangular prismatic width direction) and another central innerpartition plate 7 orthogonal to the above central inner partition plate7 are placed in cross-shaped arrangement.

[0062]FIGS. 6 and 7 show a different embodiment of the reinforcing plate4. The reinforcing plate 4 in this embodiment is formed in the shape ofa band so as to be placed around the outer surface part in the columnsection as equivalent to the outer surface part of each column 1 intoone body.

[0063] The reinforcing plate placed as described the above is applied onthe assumption that there is no desire to expose the reinforcing plate 4to the outer surface, from the viewpoint of designs, for instance.

[0064] The following is a conceivable situation applied to the casewhere there is no desire to expose the reinforcing plate to the outersurface. That is, the reinforcing plate will be placed around the outersurface part of each column 1 into one body as described the above onthe assumption that the columns 1 and the beams 2 are constructed usingconcreting in site, whereas there is no need for placing the reinforcingplate around the outer surface part of each column 1 in case of erectingcolumns and beams made up of pre-cast members into construction.

[0065] In this case, using the band-shaped reinforcing plate 4 placedaround the outer surface part in the section of each column 1 (embeddedin each column 1) may improve the appearances as the pre-cast members,while producing the effects of the reinforcing plate 4 of the presentinvention.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of eachbrace-type damper 3 is connected to the joint member (the gusset plate10), which is projecting from the upper surface of the shortH-section-made anchoring member 9 embedded in the center of each beam 2,with the pin 6.

[0067] While the gusset plate 10 as the joint member in the aboveembodiment is projecting from the upper surface of the anchoring member9, it is to be understood that the gusset plate 10, when applied to thecase of placing two pieces of brace-type dampers 3 in inverted V-shapedarrangement, is modified to project from the lower surface of theanchoring member 9, as a matter of course.

[0068] When two-pieces of brace-type dampers 3 are placed in invertedV-shaped arrangement, the lower end of each brace-type damper also needsto be connected to the reinforcing plate 4 united to the outer surfaceof a lower column end just above each column-to-beam joint as a matterof course.

[0069] Incidentally, having described the embodiment in FIG. 1 inrelation to the anchoring member 9 embedded in the center portion ofeach beam 2, it is to be understood that it may be modified to embed theanchoring member in a beam portion close to each column 1 forpin-connection of the individual brace-type damper 3 to the anchoringmember 9 (the gusset plate 10), as shown in FIG. 8.

[0070]FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the anchoring member 9 morespecifically. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 2 a denotes an upper endreinforcement of the beam 2, and concrete in the beam 2 is not shown.

[0071] This embodiment has the similar features to that of FIG. 1 to theextent that the short H-section is used for the anchoring member 9, andthe lower end of each brace-type damper 3 is connected to the gussetplate 10, which is united to the upper surface of an upper flange of theH-section, with the pin 6.

[0072] Studs 11 serving as shear connectors are mounted to the H-sectionweb of the anchoring member 9 by welding to provide more enhanced bondof the beams 2 to the concrete. The H-section flanges of the anchoringmember 9 are placed in parallel to a joint surface of the brace-typedampers 3 with each beam 2 to make a contribution toward resistance tothe force, which shifts the anchoring member in a direction orthogonalto the axis of each beam 2.

[0073] Further, disk-shaped flanges 12 are respectively mounted to theopposite ends of the anchoring member 9 by welding. These flanges 12make resistance with their faces to the force, which shifts theanchoring member 9 in the axial direction in the concrete for the beams2, by means of applying the compressive force to the concrete in anyaxial direction, resulting in more enhancement of stability of theanchoring member 9.

[0074] Other different forms of the anchoring member 9 include ananchoring member having no stud 11 and an anchoring member having anaxial force resisting flange 12 at an intermediate portion other thanthe opposite ends of the anchoring member 9, in place of the studs 11,and so on.

[0075] A modification of the anchoring member 9 as shown in FIG. 10 isavailable, for instance. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 10 a denotes areinforcing rib mounted to the gusset plate 10 in parallel to theflanges of the anchoring member 9.

[0076] The anchoring member 9 in this modification is applied as amember for reinforcing the gusset plate 10, inclusively of itsprojecting portion from each beam 2, by providing an intermediate flange12 other than the opposite flanges, in place of the studs 11, whileextending the opposite and intermediate flanges 12 upward so as to reachup to the projecting portion.

[0077] More specifically, the opposite flanges 12 of the anchoringmember 9 reach up to the projecting portion of the gusset plate 10 fromeach beam 2 so as to be one with the opposite end faces of the gussetplate 10 and those of the reinforcing rib 10 a. The intermediate flange12 of the anchoring member 9 also reaches up to the projecting portionof the gusset plate 10 from each beam 2 so as to be one with anintermediate portion of the gusset plate 10 and that of the reinforcingrib 10 a.

[0078] Using the anchoring member in the above modification permits theflanges 12 to make a contribution toward enhancing the strength of thegusset plate 10 inclusively of its projecting portion from each beam 2,together with the strength of the anchoring member 9.

What is claimed is:
 1. A structure for mounting a brace-type damper witha damper incorporated in a brace to the inside of each frame of columnsand beams of a reinforced concrete structure, the brace-type dampermounting structure comprising a reinforcing plate united to an outersurface part of each column making up said frame, separately from eachbeam, wherein one end of said brace-type damper is connected to saidreinforcing plate.
 2. A brace-type damper mounting structure accordingto claim 1, wherein said reinforcing plate is united to each column atan upper or lower end of said column.
 3. A brace-type damper mountingstructure according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing plate is formedin the shape of a band so as to be placed around an outer column surfaceas equivalent to said outer surface part of each column into one body.4. A brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 1, whereinsaid reinforcing plate is formed in the shape of a band so as to beplaced around an outer surface part in a column section as equivalent tosaid outer surface part of each column into one body.
 5. A brace-typedamper mounting structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein studsserving as shear connectors are mounted to the inner surface of saidband-shaped reinforcing plate.
 6. A brace-type damper mounting structureaccording to claim 3 or 4, wherein inner partition plates located in thesection of said column are provided on the inside of said band-shapedreinforcing plate.
 7. A brace-type damper mounting structure accordingto claim 6, wherein studs serving as shear connectors are mounted tosaid inner partition plates.
 8. A brace-type damper mounting structureaccording to claim 6, wherein said inner partition plates are placed inparallel to one-directional side plates making up said band-shapedreinforcing plate.
 9. A brace-type damper mounting structure accordingto claim 6, wherein said inner partition plates are placed incross-shaped arrangement in said band-shaped reinforcing plate.
 10. Abrace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 6, wherein saidinner partition plates include an inner partition plate continuouslyextending to a joint portion of said reinforcing plate with one end ofthe brace-type damper.
 11. A structure for mounting a brace-type damperwith a damper incorporated in a brace to the inside of each frame ofcolumns and beams of a reinforced concrete structure, the brace-typedamper mounting structure comprising an anchoring member embedded ineach beam making up said frame, wherein one end of said brace-typedamper is connected to a joint member, which so extends from saidanchoring member as being projected from the upper or lower surface ofeach beam.
 12. A brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim11, wherein studs serving as shear connectors are mounted to saidanchoring member.
 13. A brace-type damper mounting structure accordingto claim 11, wherein said anchoring member is made up of shape steel.14. A brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 12,wherein the shape steel making up said anchoring member has flangesplaced in parallel to a joint surface of said brace-type damper witheach beam.
 15. A brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim11, wherein flanges for preventing said anchoring member from beingshifted in the axial direction are mounted to said anchoring member. 16.A brace-type damper mounting structure according to claim 15, whereinsaid flanges of said anchoring member extend toward the upper or lowersurface of each beam so as to be one with said joint member.